Hannah Smith, Jacob Bierwirth Obituary, Death Cause – Two young adults from Tuscarawas County tragically lost their lives after being struck by a train on the afternoon of August 5. The Tuscarawas County Coroner’s Office has identified the victims as 20-year-old Hannah Smith from Tuscarawas and 21-year-old Jacob Bierwirth from Dover. Their families have been informed of the devastating news. Following the incident, both bodies were transported to the Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner’s Office, where autopsies will be conducted to further understand the circumstances surrounding their deaths.
The fatal incident occurred on a railroad trestle that crosses over Ohio Route 212, located just east of the village of Zoar. The trestle is known for being elevated and narrow, spanning not only the highway but also the Towpath Trail and the Tuscarawas River. It is not designed for pedestrian use and presents significant danger to anyone walking along it.
Emergency responders were dispatched to the scene around 4:30 p.m. Multiple agencies, including the sheriff’s office, and fire departments from Bolivar, Mineral City, and Strasburg, worked together in the response. Upon arrival, they discovered the two victims lying beneath the trestle on the western bank of the Tuscarawas River. Tuscarawas County Coroner Dr. Jeff Cameron was called to the scene and officially pronounced both individuals deceased.
According to Sheriff Orvis Campbell, preliminary information indicates that Smith and Bierwirth were walking on the trestle when a Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad train approached. The engineer, upon spotting the pair, reportedly activated the train’s emergency braking system. Unfortunately, due to the massive size and momentum of the train, it was not possible to stop in time to prevent the collision. The sheriff noted that the initial review of the situation suggests this was a tragic accident.
The Wheeling & Lake Erie Railroad is cooperating fully with authorities during the ongoing investigation. Law enforcement officials are continuing to gather details to piece together exactly how the incident occurred and determine whether any other contributing factors were involved.
The loss of two young lives in such a sudden and tragic manner has deeply affected the local community. Both Smith and Bierwirth were residents of Tuscarawas County, and their deaths have left a profound impact on family, friends, and others who knew them.
As investigations proceed, authorities are urging people to stay off railroad tracks and trestles, emphasizing that these structures are extremely dangerous and not intended for pedestrian access. Railroads, even in remote or quiet areas, can be hazardous, and trains often move faster and more quietly than expected.
This tragic event serves as a painful reminder of the risks associated with walking along railroad property. Community members are encouraged to keep the victims’ families in their thoughts as they grieve this heartbreaking loss.
